Across the Sun are a talented five-piece metal band from the American Northwest, specifically Vancover, WA. “Pestilence and Rapture” is the title of the second EP that they have released since they formed in 2004. I will confess I had never heard of these guys before I got this disc but I’m happy to report I was impressed.

Their sound can be summed up by an examination of the vocals. Some of the time, the vocals are delivered in the Cookie Monster growl you hear a lot in hardcore metal and sometimes they are melodically sung. While I generally find Cookie Monster vocals to be a little gimmicky and annoying, Brandon Davis does it well. Likewise, when he decides to sing a melody, it’s done right on pitch and with plenty of sustain. Brandon Davis has a sweet voice, actually, when he wants to sound that way.

Across the Sun approaches their music this way. They have the chops to play absolutely crushing metal and melodic sensibility to turn a sweet musical phrase, though they spend most of their time rocking out. As I listened to “Pestilence & Rapture,” I was impressed minute by minute with how mathematically precise the bass and percussion work is, how appropriate the keyboard work is, how blistering the guitar work is, and how neatly the band is able to turn a thundering stampede of a song around to a melodic masterpiece on a dime.

I did not like every song on "Pestilence and Rapture," but then how often do you like every single song on an album/EP? I will recommend you give a listen to the first song on the EP, ‘May Silence Keep You.’


It’s a great way to kick off this disc and it showcases their speed, power, and range all in one track. If you like this song – and I think you will, if you’re still reading – pick up the disc. It’s a winner.